Multiple-TV display channel setting method and module

ABSTRACT

A multiple-TV display channel setting method for synchronously a setting mapping relation between display channels and transmission channels to a first TV and a second TV is disclosed. The method includes setting the mapping relation between the display channels and the transmission channels to the first TV, allowing the first TV to display audio/video (A/V) signals transmitted over one of the transmission channels according to one of the display channels, wherein the display channel is mapped by the mapping relation onto the transmission channel; and transmitting the mapping relation to the second TV so that the second TV displays the A/V signals transmitted over the transmission channel according to the mapped display channels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to TV display channel setting techniques,and, more particularly, to a multiple-TV display channel setting methodand module for setting mapping relations between display channels andtransmission channels of a plurality of TVs synchronously.

2. Description of Related Arts

These days, it is quite common for many TVs to be used in the same homeor facility. In general, display channels of a TV are set by a remotecontrol. For example, by pressing one or more of a plurality of keys ona remote control, a user can select the viewing channel of the TV asdesired.

In a modern TV display system, a TV is designed to display audio/video(A/V) signals transmitted over as many as tens or hundreds oftransmission channels, each of which corresponds to a display channel. ATV display system typically provides an automatic channel discovery andmemory function for automatically setting up the display channels forconvenient access. However, such a function cannot categorize thedisplay channels according to attributes of those display channels. Forexample, the channel discovery function cannot categorize news channels,movie channels, and sport channels into a series of consecutivelynumbered or accessible display channels.

Therefore, a user of the TV still has to set the display channelsmanually one-by-one if the TV provides the functionality to reorder thechannels as desired. As described above, a modern family can own morethan one TV per household, so, although setting one TV is burdensomeenough, setting multiple TVs is quite tedious. Moreover, these TVs mayhave a different order of display channels due to a different settingorder caused by either user-inconsistency in setting the channels or bydifferences in the TVs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-mentioned problem of the prior art, it is a primaryobjective of the present invention to provide a multiple-TV displaychannel setting method and module to synchronously set the displaychannels of a plurality of TVs.

To achieve the above-mentioned and other objectives, a multiple-TVdisplay channel setting method is provided according to the presentinvention. The multiple-TV display channel setting method is used forsynchronously a setting mapping relation between display channels andtransmission channels to a first TV and a second TV. The method includessetting the mapping relation between the display channels and thetransmission channels to the first TV, allowing the first TV to displayaudio/video (A/V) signals transmitted over one of the transmissionchannels according to one of the display channels, wherein the displaychannel is mapped by the mapping relation onto the transmission channel;and transmitting the mapping relation to the second TV so that thesecond TV displays the A/V signals transmitted over the transmissionchannel according to the mapped display channel

According to the preferred embodiment, the method further includeshaving a remote control generate wireless signals to set the mappingrelation, and having a first receiver of the first TV receive thewireless signals. The first TV includes a display unit and an on screeddisplay (OSD) module for displaying the wireless signals generated bythe remote control on the display unit. Moreover, the method furtherincludes having a first transmitter of the first TV transmit the mappingrelation to the second TV, and having a second receiver of the second TVreceive the mapping relation transmitted by the first transmitter of thefirst TV. The first transmitter and the second receiver respectivelytransmits and receives the mapping relation based on the Infrared DataAssociation (IrDA), Infrared Mobile Communications (IrMC), or ObjectExchange (OBEX) wireless communications protocols.

The present invention further discloses a multiple-TV display channelsetting module for synchronously setting a mapping relation betweendisplay channels and transmission channels to a first TV and a secondTV. The module includes a first receiver installed in the first TV forreceiving wireless signals for setting the mapping relation, so as toallow the first TV to display A/V signals transmitted over one of thetransmission channels according to one of the display channels, whereinthe one of the display channels is mapped by the mapping relation ontothe one of the transmission channels; and a first transmitter installedin the first TV for wirelessly transmitting the mapping relation to thesecond TV.

In contrast to the prior art, the multiple-TV display channel settingmethod and module are capable of setting display channels of a pluralityof TVs synchronously, so as to reduce the time the user has to spend toset the display channels of the TVs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a multiple-TV display channelsetting system of the preferred embodiment according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the multiple-TV display channel settingsystem shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a mapping relation of the multiple-TVdisplay channel setting system shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a multiple-TV display channel method corresponding to themultiple-TV display channel system shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following illustrative embodiments are provided to illustrate thedisclosure of the present invention, these and other advantages andeffects being understandable by those in the art after reading thedisclosure of this specification. The present invention can also beperformed or applied by other differing embodiments. The details of thespecification may be changed on the basis of different points andapplications, and numerous modifications and variations can be devisedwithout departing from the spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a multiple-TV display channelsetting system 10 of the preferred embodiment according to the presentinvention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the multiple-TV displaychannel setting system 10. The multiple-TV display channel settingsystem 10 is used to synchronously set mapping relations MR betweendisplay channels DC and transmission channels TC of a plurality of TVs.For example, a first TV 12 and a second TV 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Inaddition to the first TV 12 and the second TV 14, the multiple-TVdisplay channel setting system 10 further comprises a remote control 16.The first TV 12 and the second TV 14 are used to display audio/video(A/V) signals transmitted over one of the transmission channels TCaccording to one of the display channels DC selected by a user bypressing one or more of a plurality of keys of the remote control 16,the display channel DC being mapped by the mapping relation MR onto thetransmission channel TC. The remote control 16 is used to generatewireless signals S to set the mapping relation MR. Of course, the remotecontrol 16 can be used to generate other wireless signals to select thedisplay channels DC. In other words, a user can both set the mappingrelation MR and select display channels DC of the first TV with the sameremote control 16.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the mapping relation MR. According tothe mapping relation MR, the wireless signals S generated by the remotecontrol 16 map four transmission channels (391-399 MHz), (399-407 MHz),(407-415 MHz) and (415-423 MHz) onto display channels 09, 10, 11 and 12,respectively. Therefore, when the user utilizes the remote control 16 togenerate wireless signals S to select the display channel 09 of thefirst TV 12, A/V signals transmitted over the transmission channel(391-399 MHz) will be displayed on the first TV 12 (as display channel09). Likewise, when the user utilizes the remote control 16 to generatewireless signals S to select the display channel 12 of the first TV 12,A/V signals transmitted over the transmission channel (415-423 MHz) willbe displayed on the first TV 12.

The first TV 12 utilizes an antenna to receive the A/V signalstransmitted over the transmission channels in the mapping relation MRshown in FIG. 3. However, a multiple-TV display channel setting systemof the present invention may also receive A/V signals transmitted overcable TV networks.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the first TV 12 comprises a first memory 18for storing the mapping relation MR of the first TV 12, a first receiver20 for receiving the wireless signals S generated by the remote control16, and a first transmitter 22 for wirelessly transmitting the mappingrelation MR of the first TV 12. Accordingly, the second TV 14 comprisesa second receiver 24 for receiving the mapping relation MR transmittedby the first transmitter 22 of the first TV 12, and a second memory 26for receiving the mapping relation MR received by the second receiver24. Therefore, a user of the multiple-TV display channel setting system10 can synchronously set the display channels DC of the second TV 14when setting the display channels DC of the first TV 12, without havingto spend extra time to individually set the display channels of thesecond TV 14.

The first TV 12 further comprises a third receiver 32 similar to thesecond receiver 24, which is capable of receiving the mapping relationMR transmitted by the first transmitter 22. This third receiver 32 iscapable of receiving another mapping relation MR transmitted by anotherTV. For example, if the second TV 14 also comprises a second transmittercapable of transmitting a mapping relation MR, the third receiver 32 ofthe first TV 12 can receive the mapping relation MR transmitted by thesecond transmitter of the second TV 14.

According to the preferred embodiment, the first receiver 20, the firsttransmitter 22, and the third receiver 32 are integrated into amultiple-TV display channel setting module, which is used to set themapping relations between display channels and transmission channels ofa plurality of TVs. Moreover, the first transmitter 22, the secondreceiver 24 (and the third receiver 32) are designed to transmit/receivethe mapping relation MR based on the Infrared Data Association (IrDA),Infrared Mobile Communications (IrMC), and Object Exchange (OBEX)wireless communications protocols. Furthermore, the remote control 16comprises an Infrared light emitting diode for generating the wirelesssignals S in the form of Infrared light. Accordingly, the first receiver20 comprises an infrared photo sensitive diode for receiving thewireless signals S in the form of the infrared light. Lastly, themultiple-TV display channel setting system 10 (as well as themultiple-TV display channel setting module) of the present inventionmakes use of wireless transmission (for example infrared) to transmitthe mapping relation MR of the first TV 12 to the second TV 14. However,if both of the first TV 12 and the second TV 14 are card-pluggable TVs,a multiple-TV display channel setting system of the present invention isallowed to take the form of a storage card to store the mapping relationMR of the first TV 12 to the second TV 14.

Referring to FIG. 2 again, the first TV 12 further comprises a displayunit 28 and an on screen display (OSD) module 30 for displaying thewireless signals S generated by the remote control 16 on the displayunit 28. In practice, the OSD module 30 displays the wireless signals Son an OSD of the display unit 28, allowing the user to conveniently setthe display channels DC of the first TV 12.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a multiple-TV display channel setting methodcorresponding to the multiple-TV display channel setting system 10. Themultiple-TV display channel setting method starts in step 102. In step102, the first TV 12 is powered-on, while the second TV 104 is stillpowered-off. Then, flow proceeds to step 104.

In step 104, the remote control 16 generates wireless signals S to setthe mapping relation MR of the first TV 12. Then, flow proceeds to step106.

In step 106, the first receiver 20 of the first TV 12 receives thewireless signals S generated by the remote control 16. At the same time,an OSD is displayed on the display unit 28 of the first TV 12. Thereby,the user can easily set the display channels DC of the first TV 12.Then, flow proceeds to step 108.

In step 108, the first transmitter 22 of the first TV 12 transmits themapping relation MR. Then, flow proceeds to step 110.

In step 110, the second TV 14 is powered-on. Then, flow proceeds to step112.

In step 112, a synchronization function of the second TV 14 is actuated.

Similarly, another OSD is displayed on a display unit of the second TV14. Thereby, a user of the second TV 14 can easily actuate thesynchronization function. Then, flow proceeds to step 114.

In step 114, the second receiver 24 of the second TV 14 receives themapping relation MR transmitted by the first transmitted 22. Thesynchronization function further stores the mapping relation MR receivedby the second receiver 24 into the second memory 26. Then, flow proceedsto step S201.

In step S201, the display channels DC of the second TV have been setsynchronously in accordance with the setting of the display channels DCof the first TV 12.

In contrast to the prior art, the multiple-TV display channel settingmethod and related module and system are capable of synchronouslysetting display channels of a plurality of TVs, thereby reducing thetime the user has to spend to set the display channels of these TVs.

The foregoing descriptions of the detailed embodiment are illustrated todisclose the features and functions of the present invention and are notrestrictive of the scope of the present invention. It should beunderstood by those in the art that various modifications and variationscan be made to the present invention yet still fall within the spiritand principles of the present invention as described in the appendedclaims.

1. A multiple-TV display channel setting method for synchronouslysetting a mapping relation between display channels and transmissionchannels to a first TV and a second TV, the method comprising the stepsof: setting the mapping relation between the display channels and thetransmission channels to the first TV, allowing the first TV to displayaudio/video (A/V) signals transmitted over one of the transmissionchannels according to one of the display channels, wherein the one ofthe display channels is mapped by the mapping relation onto the one ofthe transmission channels; and transmitting the mapping relation to thesecond TV so as to allow the second TV to display the A/V signalstransmitted over the one of the transmission channels according to themapped one of the display channels.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: having a remote control device generate wireless signals forgenerating the mapping relation; and having a first receiver of thefirst TV receive the wireless signals.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinthe first TV comprises a display unit and an on screen display (OSD)module for displaying the wireless signals on the display unit.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: having a first transmitter of thefirst TV transmit the mapping relation to the second TV wirelessly; andhaving a second receiver of the second TV receive the mapping relationwirelessly transmitted by the first transmitter of the first TV.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the first transmitter and the second receiverrespectively transmits and receives the mapping relation based on anInfrared Data Association (IrDA) wireless communications protocol. 6.The method of claim 4, wherein the first transmitter and the secondreceiver respectively transmits and receives the mapping relation basedon an Infrared Mobile Communications (IrMC) wireless communicationsprotocol.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the first transmitter andthe second receiver respectively transmits and receives the mappingrelation based on an Object Exchange (OBEX) wireless communicationsprotocol.
 8. A multiple-TV display channel setting module forsynchronously setting a mapping relation between display channels andtransmission channels to a first TV and a second TV, the modulecomprising: a first receiver installed in the first TV for receivingwireless signals for setting the mapping relation, so as to allow thefirst TV to display A/V signals transmitted over one of the transmissionchannels according to one of the display channels, wherein the one ofthe display channels is mapped by the mapping relation onto the one ofthe transmission channels; and a first transmitter installed in thefirst TV for wirelessly transmitting the mapping relation to the secondTV.
 9. The module of claim 8 further comprising a third receiverinstalled in the first TV for receiving the mapping relation.
 10. Themodule of claim 9, wherein the first transmitter and the third receiverrespectively transmits and receives the mapping relation based an IrDAwireless communications protocol.
 11. The module of claim 9, wherein thefirst transmitter and the third receiver respectively transmits andreceives the mapping relation based on an IrMC wireless communicationsprotocol.
 12. The module of claim 9, wherein the first transmitter andthe third receiver respectively transmits and receives the mappingrelation based on an OBEX wireless communications protocol.